I saw it, I heard it, I bought it! : Martin and his BMW M6

During my first months in Berlin I had the opportunity to meet a great friend at a classic car event, Martin. He was sitting in his M6, and I carefully introduced myself: ”Hello! I’m Alex from Carphiles“, and he answered; ”Yes, I know who you are!“ He already followed me on Instagram and we started talking that day for a long while. As time passed, we kept in touch and became very good friends.

I have a special affinity for the E24, it was the first classic that I photographed properly. I feel the M6 is an incredible car. I enjoyed it on different occasions in Berlin, and outside of the city in summer and spring for a drive with my friend. For this reason, you will see different locations in the photos below.

Here is the story of Martin and his BMW M6. I hope you enjoy it!

Tell me about your M6

It’s Euro-spec’ed, so it’s a M635 CSi, built in December of the first model year 1984. It came out after BMW had transplanted the M1 supercar engine into the E24 chassis. My M635 spent the 80s and 90s in Southwest Germany in the hands of two caring owners and was locked away in a dry hideout in 2006 for ten years.

What about you?

I’m a Berlin-based editor, car and music connoisseur. That’s pretty much it.

What was your first car?

I was lucky to have access to many cars throughout my career, press cars, test cars, whatever cars. The first car I actually owned was a 1971 Mercedes-Benz W108. A true beauty, but a total service nightmare.

How did you first become interested in cars and why especially in BMW?

Growing up with Lego all around me as a little boy, I always had a thing for cars and creativity. Then as a young teen, I was into RC model building and mixed parts of different models for some pretty entertaining results. BMW had always been one of the more attractive automakers to me, as cars evolved. They’re still primarily drivers cars and unlike other brands today one can still trace the DNA of a new M sportscar back to early 80s classics, like this M6.

How did you come across the BMW M6?

To be honest, I never expected to find one in a better condition than average, because pristine examples like this have become extremely rare. When I found it, I knew had to be quick. I saw it, I heard it, I bought it!

What condition was the car in when you bought it?

It was ready to roll! A good friend of mine from Dortmund had just restored it with OEM parts. He‘s into classic BMW M cars since the early 90s and a real expert when it comes to technical specifications. I only had a few final mechanical updates done, after I found a BMW Group Classic branch in Berlin willing to handle it. It’s also regularly serviced there.

What’s your favorite detail or what do you love most about your car?

Of course, there’s the obvious sharknose, the Hofmeister kink and all the details. But for me, the true mastery of Paul Bracq’s design is its coherence. It looks stunning from every angle, perfect proportions. That’s very rare in the automotive world and especially rare with bold and passive aggressive baselines. Also, it’s one of the few classic cars that look much better with factory spoiler kit – this car has all M options available in 1984! The M88/3 straight-6 engine is another milestone. It needs serious attention, though. There’re very little people who know this business – and even fewer people willing to pay the price.

Personally, I think the BBS wheels make the M6 so unique, and they match perfectly with the aesthetic of the car, what’s the history behind it?

Wheels are always crucial. It’s a kill or cure thing. These are rare original three-pieced 17“ BBS RS, powder-coated, with spacers. They fit the E24 much better than stock wheels, I think, and they’re design classics in their own right!

Is there any other BMW or classic you would like to have?

I think the BMW M1 is still one of the most understated collectibles, compared to boring omnipresent Italians. Especially the Procar series. But that’s a different talk.

To where would be the perfect ride on this M6?

Up in the hills of the French Riviera on a warm night in June – and that’s exactly what we did! It’s pure joy to drive.

Being a music connoisseur, what is your favorite song to play when you are driving on a long road or just in the city?

I love screaming along Queen’s 1984 smash „Radio Ga Ga“ on the Autobahn – period correct, hahaha! Apart from that, I’m a huge fan of Parcels and their new album is a perfect soundtrack for any trip in the car with my wonderful girlfriend.

Tell me about your project Autowahn!

Well, it’s just my street photography project on Tumblr. It started in 2013 as an outlet for the tons of car pictures I was amassing and became a place for odd, rare, or just beautiful cars I spot wherever I go. There’re some 2000 cars on Autowahn, often combined with pointless and/or ironical pearls of wisdom.

I start 2017 with a story about Gabriel, a good friend of mine from Buenos Aires, who introduces me to the world of cars there. He is the third owner of one of the most beautiful BMW 635CSi, or “BE EME”, as he calls it, in Argentina, and he was lucky to have got it in extremely good condition – with only 75.000 km from factory.

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I have a special affinity for the E24, it was the first classic that I photographed properly. I feel the M6 is an incredible car. I enjoyed it on different occasions in Berlin, and outside of the city in summer and spring for a drive with my friend. For this reason, you will see different locations in the photos below.

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